The Future of Body Control Units Siemens VDO accelerates electronics development with platform strategy

Most of the time, drivers of modern cars do not notice the electronics providing passive assistance and unrecognized benefits for vehicle occupants, as well as the environment. Hidden behind the trim, electronic controllers monitor the vehicle functions thus helping the drivers reach their destinations safely and comfortably. In modern cars, the electronics also make sure the driver can't lock him or herself out by forgetting the key in the car, that the electric windows recognize children's hands and protect them from painful pinching, and that notification about an imminent flat tire is given in good time. In the future, Siemens VDO will continue to manufacture controllers that contribute to making sure cars of all vehicle classes are even more reliable and safer.

While developing the various body control units, starting with the 2008 vehicle model year Siemens VDO will use a modular-platform architecture. Whereas up to now, electronics manufacturers have developed body control units from top to bottom dependent on a manufacturer's requirements, Siemens VDO uses function models from an internal library. These models have prepared solutions that integrate the requirements placed on the respective hardware, software and mechanical functions. The function modules have a wide range of configurability. That means a function can be adapted to a new application by simply changing the parameters. The platform is so flexible that already existing module developments can be combined with vehicle-specific innovations. The result is the supplier can ensure the quality of the electronics and the necessary development time is reduced. On top of that, the development process is also being supported with automated system-development tools. Both the platform’s basic architecture and the development of the functions are already prepared for the coming AUTOSAR standard. Last but not least, the standardized platform development eases and accelerates the integration of more functions in one controller and also ensures calculable development costs for new vehicle concepts.

In an effort to provide customers with a development platform for their growing range of vehicle lines, Siemens VDO put the current controllers and the future requirements through a systematic analysis. These results were integrated into the platform-module specifications. The concept of scalability was given special consideration to satisfy the demand for the increasingly growing abundance of versions. The first series projects already show the new approach can completely bear its theoretical advantages in practice.

With this new development approach, Siemens VDO is confirming its role as the innovation leader in the automobile electronics sector. This will continue to guarantee even more reliable, environmentally friendly and safe automobiles.